Long Winter (sigh)

[Dragonrider]

Date: 10/24 07:32



Insert tongue firmly in cheek…

!!!NOT THAT CHEEK!!! (Sheesh!)

Well, daytime highs are predicted to fall below 90 degrees this weekend so it is time to start thinking about winterizing The Dragon. Already I have had to break out the leather jacket several mornings (I go into work at 4:30am) as the morning lows were in the 60’s. One morning we even hit 58 degrees!

The national organization of orthopedic surgeons has polled all its former knee surgery patients and is predicting a severe and wetter then usual winter for our area this year. Based on this we fully expect our winter to last 6 or 7 days this season instead of the usual 3 or 4 days.

Anyway we have tentatively scheduled our winter for February 14th through the 21st. Now I am a die-hard rider, but I will not (usually) ride in icy conditions, so I am expecting to have to drive “Big Iron” (the 400hp V-10 4x4 Dodge) for at least 5 days (jheez, I wonder where in the heck I keep the keys to that thing?). I wonder if it even runs? (I understand you are supposed to start those cage thingys at least once a year, but I have really been busy).

The Valkyrie has never sat that long, so I figure I have to winterize her. I mean, 5 days without riding is a LONG time…has anybody ever done this? 5 days?

So what do I need to do for that long of a layup?

Drain the battery juice?

Varnish the inside of the exhaust system (prevents rust)?

Change the tire oil? I am figuring on using Penztellaroil (modified hybrid natural synthetic) in my Avolop (front) and QuakerCastor (hybrid modified synthetic natural) in the Dunvon (rear). (the BridgeYear tires I picked up on clearance are still hanging on the garage wall).

Change the rear shock air? (Drilling and tapping the holes to get it out is a pain), and just what brand of air do I top them off with?

One forum suggested taking the wheels off and hanging the bike upside down from the ceiling to avoid front end frame sag. (and we all know how embarrassing that “front end frame sag” can be right?)

I also thought of cleaning all the gaskets, re-knurling all the clutch plates, and reversing the alternator (to even out the wear on those electrons of course!), but cannot find any good instructions on those procedures. (I guess not many people have had to put their bike up for 5 whole days!)

Oh, and I nearly forgot rotating all the light bulbs, but that does not take long.

Anyway, hope y’all (Texas term) have a great winter!

CUAgain (with waaaayyyy too much caffeine this morning),

[Parr8hed]

Don't forget to put some mice in your exhuast to keep it warm. Glad that the previous owner had done that for me!

Wow 5 whole days. I went on vacation and had to go without for like 9 days once! (I had a 12 step program to help). It was hard.

[jayklink]

LOL! Very funny.

Maybe you should consider some heated grips,full leathers,thermals or something like that so you could cut your winter down a few days.

I feel for you-just hang in there. You'll make it.

[sixtysix]

Oh stop you are making me cry.... , My winter has already started...bike riding is over till around the First week of April. I am glad you posted this though it was pretty funny!

[Bud Manley]

Change the rear shock air? (Drilling and tapping the holes to get it out is a pain), and just what brand of air do I top them off with?

I have a good solution for your shock air problem.

Due to the high cost of "standard" gas station air (25-50 cents) try this.
Go to your local WAL-MART with 5 empty shopping bags (plastic not paper) and fill them with WAL-MART air. You see many people don't know this but WAL-MART de-ionses the air to cut down on dust particles in the store this will ensure that your air is of the highest quality not like those "standard" gas station air sources. I could tell you stories about BP air that would curle your hair.
Or even better go to your local Casino with 5 bags (plastic not paper) and fill them in the non-smoking section of the casino. Ususally on the top floor. Casino air is regulated similer to WAL-MART but the artificially increased oxygen content will allow your tires to "breath" a little easier.

[Mark Van Winkle]

Denny,

I think you should just trade in the Valkyrie for a Gold Wing with the Automatic Coffee Maker, Heated everything, and Reverse (so you can back up and go around that ice) and get it over with.

Like I am going to feel sorry for you!




Ps: the Gold Wing air conditioner will be good for the other 360 days you ride.

[bkr]

Long Winter

Hi Dragonrider In the great white north it is Oct. 26/03. My winter has just started. I have the second gear spacer changed,wheel bearings greased,drive shaft lubed,all fluids changed,new brake pads all around.carb synq. done,valve check done etc,etc,etc. So when does Spring start? Middle of May with any LUCK. So now i hibernate till spring. Enjoy your great biking weather. bkr

[Bill]

Stretchin' out the season...

I regard cold weather as a challenge rather than an obstacle to riding. It's all about attitude... and LAYERS! (At least until the roads get slick!) Yesterday I went for a ride on the GSX-R at 38°F. Here's how it goes...

Winter Riding - Attitude, Layers and Dry Roads

Time to ride...

[bkr]

Time toride

Hi Bill You need to hear that new exhaust one last time before lay up! Have had snow 3 times already! Looks like a long winter in N.B. this year .See you & Tina in the spring. bkr Ed C

[mitch]

Tee shirt

Hey Bill see ya got a Toronto tee shirt on, I whent to visit Ron in St John, yesterday it was 8 deg out . Like you say layers lol. Bike worked good no prob staying awake . See ya in May have a great winter..............MITCH

[Jeff]

I plan to keep riding until the snow flies. Though I have to admit that the twisties will have to wait until spring. I'd hate to find a patch of black ice in a shadey spot while nearly dragging a footpeg.

There's no snow in the mountains yet so I guess today I'll make another run and check out the higher elevation road conditions. Here in SE Idaho, being considered high mountain desert..... it can get up into the 80's by day and drop well below freezing at night. Two days ago it was up into the 80's but today it might hit 50.

[Jerry]

A few days where A.M. temps were below freezing, snow in the forcast for later this week... Put the XJ in a rented storage place, last ride was a short one. Hope to ride from time to time if weather permits over the winter, but started to unpack the snowmobile last Sunday...Sled is a 1986 Yamaha V-Max 540L.

Couple fall color pics:

[jayklink]

Unfair Photos

Great Pictures Jerry. No scenery like that here in Oklahoma. I'm still riding, but I might give up a few days of motorcycling to see those mountains every now and then.

Morning temp today was 53 degrees. Ride home from work 72 degrees.

My fingers got a little cold.

[jacuff1]

Geez, I think 53 was our high today here in Indiana! I'm hoping I'll get eXJunk running before the snow flies. Would like to get the chance to ride it at least once before I have to put it up for the winter.
At least I have my Yamaha Timberwolf 4x4!

John

[Parr8hed]

Where is logansport? I am all the way south, just above louisville KY. Chilly here, but I am still riding to work at night on a pretty regular basis. Just chilly in the a.m. on the way home. Wondering how hard it would be to switch back and forth to a fairing with lowers for the winter, and my nakked bike as it is now for the summer? Probably too much trouble to justify. Guess that I will just have to buy another bike!